APT: river cruise specialists with over 90 years of history

It all started with a bus – how a small travel company grew to be a global tour operator.

The beautiful river ships, heritage trains and state-of-the-art coaches on which APT guests explore the world have a rather different transport heritage.

In fact it was a strike by tram drivers in Melbourne, Australia, way back in 1927 that started the journey of a company that has grown into one of the most admired in the holiday industry.

Geoff spotted the opportunity for upmarket cruises on Europe’s rivers

To beat the strike a young mechanic, Bill McGeary, converted a truck into a commuter bus. It was a makeshift measure –­ but over the next 20 years Bill expanded his bus network.

Searching for new opportunities, he began to offer his vehicles for private charters and a fledgling travel company was born.

Bill’s son Geoff took over the running of the operation at the age of just 19, and he still runs the company today along with his own son Rob and daughter Lou.

Desirable destinations: APT's first ever European River Cruise ship in 2006

Geoff had always been keen to discover more of his homeland and pioneered camping holidays around Australia. By the 1970s, this concept was expanded to include weekend breaks and, in 1982, he opened a dedicated office in the UK. In 1991, Geoff offered his first overseas trip to Canada under the Australian Pacific Tours name.

Those camping adventures turned into luxury tours catering for ever more discerning travellers, then Geoff spotted the opportunity for upmarket cruises on Europe’s rivers.

Today, APT’s portfolio also offers river cruises in Asia and Russia, plus land tours to New Zealand.

Geoff uses his decades of experience and innovation to guide his team to create outstanding itineraries that showcase the most desirable destinations on the globe, all underlined with the spirit of discovery and a passion to surprise and delight.